Printing machine with article supporting device



July 1, 1952 J. G. BLAKEY 2,601,825

PRINTING MACHINE WITH ARTICLE SUPPORTING DEVICE J. G. BLAKEY 2,601,825

PRINTING MACHINE WITH ARTICLE SUPPORTING DEVICE July l, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 21, 1948 INVENTOR.

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A Trae/VE KS July 1, 1952 J. G. BLAKEY 2,601,325

PRINTING MACHINE WITH ARTICLE SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed April 2l, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Eig 5 coMPet-ssso me IN V EN TOR.

7' TOPNEYS July 1, 1952 J. G. BLAKEY 2,601,825

PRINTING MACHINE WITH ARTICLE SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed April 2l, 1948 41: Sheets-S1166?- 4 l Y L. 4

Patented July 1, 19.52

PRINTING MACHINE WITH ARTICLE SUPPORTING DEVICE .lohn G.V Blakey, Portland, Greg., assignor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application April 21, 1948, Serial No. 22,455

6 Claims. (Cl. 101-35) The present invention relates to a machine for printing or marking hollow articles such as empty containers and the like 'and has particular reference to devices for supporting the portions of the articles to be rnarkfed during" the printing operation;

In thepackaging of frozen 4foods and certain other products it is sometimes'des'irable `to spot print on the containers, after they aremade, identifying marks which signify some peculiarity of the product or the date and place of packing or the name of the packer or other information. Where the containers are made of a flexible or resilient material such as fibre" or the like some difficulty has been experienced in marking them due to the lack ofl rigidityin the walls of the containers.

The instant inventionV contemplates overcoming this difficulty by providing alsupport for such flexible walls during` theprinti-ng thereof.

An object of the invention is the provision in a spot printing machine of article supporting"de vices wherein lflexible or resilient portions'ef an article to be marked may be supported Suniciently to producea 'rigid or fsolid"surface` for the reception-ofthe mark during the printing operation. v

Anctneroject is the. provision or such devices wherein a fluid supportin'g.- medium is introduced into theV hollow article for suppmtingV portions thereof during" theY printingoperai-,ion` so that the portion of the article to be printedfwill present a solid surface with the result that a clearcut, legiblefmarl may be readily' imprinted on the supportedarea. I

Another object is the provision: of such devices wherein compressed air is utilized as a supporting.` medium so` that articles-moving `in" a1 procession of` such articles may be rapidly and Aefficiently supportedand printed as the Yarticles pass along a predetermined path of i travel under high speed ratesotproduction. I

Numerous other objects andadvantages of the invention will be apparent; asi it is better understoodifrom` the following description, which, taken in connection with. the` accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referringtothe'drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a spot' printing machine embodying the instant invention', the view showing containers passing. throughthemachineforreceiving an'imprint thereon, parte of the machine being' broken away; 1v Fig..2f` is a longitudinalsectin taken substanftially. alongthe line- 24-2' in' Fig.` 11wi-'th` 'parts broken away Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken Substantially along the line 3 3 in Fig. 2, with parts broken away;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional detail of a portion of the machine and includes the upper end of a container to be printed, parts of the machine and the container being broken away; and

Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged perspective details of a conveyor used in the machine', Fig. 5 showing the upper side of the conveyor while Fig. 6 illustrates the conveyor inverted for disclosing details' of its lower side. As a preferred exemplary embodiment of the instant invention the drawings illustrate a spot printing machine for marking the word sliced or other desirable mark on opposed side walls of empty fibre frozen food containers A moving in processional order through a printing station C in the machine. The containers preferably are rectangular in cross-section and are fitted with metal bottoms B. The upper ends of the containers are open.

The containers A are moved through the machine in an upright position with their bottoms B resting on an endless chain conveyor II (Figs. 1 and 2) having feed dogs I2 secured thereto at spaced intervals. This feed conveyor is actuated continuously in any suitable mannerA for propelling the containers along la straight line path of travel. Guide rails' I3 disposed adjacent the conveyor retain the containers in line.

The containers A are placed on the conveyor in any suitable manner in front of the feed dogs I2 and in groups of five as a matter of convenience, although they may be advanced singly or in any other relation as desired. When advanced in groups of five as shown, the space between the groups is equal to one container to preserveA the timing of the containers.

As the containers A enter the machine on the feed conveyor II, they ride onto a pair of auX- iliary support conveyors I5, located one ,on each side of the feed conveyor II and extending parallel therewith. These conveyors are endless chain conveyors which operate `over pairs of spaced sprockets I6, I'I (see also Fig. 3) mounted respectively on a driving shaft I8 and an idler shaft I 9. The shafts I8, I9 are journaled in bearings' 2| formed in a frame' 22 which constitutes the mainframe ofthe machine. The driving shaft I8 is driven continuously in any suitable manner. Sprockets 24 (see Figs. 1,` 2 and 3) mounted" on the shafts I8, IS between the sprockets I6 and the sprockets Il meshwithfthe feed conveyor ll and, drive it in time with` the auriliary support conveyors I5. Y

As the upright containers A move along with the feed conveyor II and the auxiliary support conveyors I5, the open upper ends of the containers are engaged by resilient support pads, chucks or toppers 28 (Figs 2, 3, l, 5 and 6) which move through the printing station C along a path of travel coincident with and above the path of travel of the containers. There is one chuck for each container. These chucks pref erably are made of rubber. Each chuck is adapted to fit within the open end of a container as shown in Figs. 3 and Li. For this purpose the chucks have a shape similar to that of the crosssectional contour of the containers and have tapered edges to facilitate entrance into and removal from the open ends of the containers (Figs. 4, 5 and 6).

The chucks or toppers 28 preferably are formed integrally with an endless belt 29 and are spaced therealong in accordance with the spacing of the containers on the feed conveyor lI. The belt in turn is secured to a plurality of rigid crossbars 32 which are fastened to the links of a pair of spaced and parallel endless operating chains 33 disposed above the path of travel of the containers A on the conveyor il. There are preferably three crossbars 32 for each chuck 28 and these bars provide a solid backing for the chuck while the latter is on a container.

The operating chains 33 extend parallel with the feed conveyor II and operatein the same vdirection as the feed conveyor, over pairs of .spacedsprockets 34, 35.

Sprockets 34 are idler sprockets and are mounted on an idler shaft 3l journaled in bearings formed in an upright secvspeed of the operating chains 33 with the lineal speed of the feed conveyor II so that the chucks 28 travel in time with the containers A. For this purpose the driving shafts I8, 42 are connected by a gear train which comprises a driving gear 434 mounted on the driving shaft I8, a pair of intermediate idler gears 44, and a driven gear 45 mounted on the shaft 42. The idler gears are mounted on short shafts 46 carried in bearings .41 formed on'the upright section 39 of the main frame. l

Hence, as an entering container A approaches the operating chains 33, a chuck 28 as it rotates 4around the idler sprocket 34 moves down into position within the top of the container and travels with the container as the latter passes under and along the operating chains. During this rtravel ofa container, its chuck 23 is pressed down tight against the top edge of the container to temporarily seal off the interior of the container. This is effected by a pair of stationary shoes 48 (Figs. 2, 3 and 5) which are disposed at the printing station C, adjacent the path of travel of the chucks and which are located one on. each side thereof,

The inner marginal edge portions of the shoes 48 overhang and press against the chuck crossbars 32. The outer marginal edge lportions of the shoes rest on horizontal webs 49 of the upright frame section 39. Intermediate its edge portions the shoes are yieldably held in place by bolts 5I which extend through the shoes and are thread- 4 sion springs 52 which press the shoes against the chuck crossbars 32. It is these springs that press the chucks against the upper ends of the containers as they pass under the shoes 48,

In some cases Where the containers have fairly rigid side walls, the chucks' 23 alone may be sufIicient to support them during a printing operation. In most cases Where the container Walls lack rigidity a fluid support medium, preferably compressed air, must be introduced into the container to rigidify and thus support the flexible walls of the container for the printing operation, while a chuck 28 is pressed tightly against the upper end of a container A. For this purpose, each chuck 28 is provided with an opening 55 (see Figs 3, 4, 6) which extends up through the middle of the chuck and the adjacent crossbar 32.

The compressed air is introduced into the container through the chuck opening 55, by a rotating wheel 58 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) Which is disposed at the printing station C adjacent the chuck hold down shoes 48 and is located between the upper and lower runs of the operating chains 33. This Wheel rotates freely on a stationary cross shaft 59 which is secured in bearings 6I formed in the upright frame section 39. The wheel is rotated on the shaft in time With the moving containers A. by a pair of sprockets 62 which are located one on each side of the wheel and which are secured to the Wheel. These sprockets mesh with the lower runs of the operating chains 33 and thus drive the Wheel in time with the travel of the chucks 28.

The wheel 58 carries a plurality of radially disposed and yieldably mounted tubes 65 (Fig. 4) which are located around the wheel in spaced relation corresponding to the spacing of the containers A on the feed conveyor I I. These tubes are radially slideable in bushings 66 threadedly secured in the wheel. The inner ends of the tubes are formed with heads 61 which are disposed Within clearance recesses 68 formed in the Wheel and which limit the outward travel of the tube. The outer ends of the tubes carry resilient cups 69, preferably made of rubber and having an air orifice communicating with the interior of the tubes. The cups are normally pressed outwardly by compression springs 1I which surround the tubes and which are interposed between the cups and the bushings.

The interior of the tubes 65 communicate with radial channels 'I3 which are formed in the Wheel 58 and which extend from the clearance recesses 68 to the stationary shaft 59. These channels 'I3 are rotated with the Wheel, into register with a single stationary radial channel 'I4 formed in the shaft. The inner end of the channel 'I4 communicates With a longitudinal bore 15 which is formed in the shaft and which extends from the radial channel 'I4 to one of the outer ends of the shaft (see Fig. 3). At this end of the shaft the bore communicates with a supply pipe 16 which leads from any suitable source of compressed air. As long as an air cup 69 and its tube 65 are out of register `with the channel 14 the air from the bore 'I5 in the shaft 59 is cut off from the cup.

ediy engaged in the webs as. The belts 5 |V extend I-Ience, as a chuck 28 and its sealed off container A passes throughrthe printing station C, adjacent the chuck hold down shoe 48,' the wheel 58 rotates an air cup 69 lnto place over the opening 55 in the' chuck and its adjacentcrossbar 32 and vholds it there while the chuck and the container pass under the wheel. The -spring'l acting against the cup permits the tube to move inwardly during this passage. Whilethe. cup is thus in. alignmentwith the bore 55. in the* chuck .the channels 13, 14, tube 65 and cup 69, into the interior of the container A through the chuck opening 55 andthus ll the container with` air. The pressure ofthe air is regulated; iny any suitable manner to properly rigidity andhold the sides of the container firm: without bulging or bursting the container.

With the `sides ofthe container thus heldflrm and while the interior of the container isf still in communication with the air inlet` bore. `in the stationary shaft59, the printingof the' container is effected. This printing operation may Vbecarried out in any suitable manner, preferably by `a pair of rotating printing wheels 8| (Figs. 1, 2 and 3). located Vat the printing station C and having type elements 82 carried on theiri outer peripheries. The printing wheels are arranged one on each side of thepath off travel :of the containers and the type elements are engageable with both supported .sides'of the containers for imprinting them as they passbetween .the wheels.

`The printing wheelsY 8| are` mounted on the upper ends ofy vertical shafts 83 journaledV in bearings 84 formed in the main frame 22. The shafts are rotated continuously in opposite directions in time with each other and with the travel of the containers, by a pair of meshing gears 85 mounted on the lowerends `oi'. the shafts. One of the shafts is a driving. shaft and carries a bevel gear 86 which. meshes with. and is driven by a cooperating bevel gear 81 mounted on a short shaft 88 journaled ina` bearing 89 formed in the frame 22. The shaft 88 is rotated' continuously byv an endless drivechain 9| which operates over a sprocket 92 carried on theiouter end of the shaft and over a `driving sprocket 9 mountedon the main driveshaft I8. y f

` Upon completion of the printing operation, the wheel 58 rotates the air channel 13 out of registry with the air inlet channel 14 and hence the iiow of air into the container is cut off. With further rotation of the wheel and continued advancement of the chuck 28 and its printed container A, the wheel rotates the air cup 69 away from the chuck crossbar 32 and thus uncovers the chuck opening 55. This permits the lcompressed air within the container to escape.

With the printing and supporting cycle thus completed the printed container rides from under the chuck hold down shoes 48 and continues its travel toward the discharge end of the machine where the chuck is disengaged from the container and carried up along the upper run of the operating chains, to return into position on another container for a repeat operation. 'I'he printed container remains on the feed conveyor Il and is carried by this conveyor to any suitable place of discharge. In this manner each container A in the procession passing through the machine is acted upon individually and is properly supported for the printing operation.

It should be understood that the mechanism hereinbefore described could be readily adapted for operations upon inwardly supported hollow articles such as containers, other than a printing operation. For example, a labeling device could be substituted for the printing rollers.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendantadvantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will. be apparent that .various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement ofthe parts without departing from the, spirit` and scope of the invention or sacriiicing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

l. In a machine for printing on hollow articles having flexible walls, the combination of a continuously moving conveyor: for supporting and propelling along a predetermined path of travel an article having. an opening therein, sealing .means engageable with said .moving article for sealing the articlel opening, said sealing means having anlopening therein providing-communication with the interior of the article through its opening, a supply pipe having connection with a source of fluid medium, means separated from said sealing means and movable relative to both sealing means and said supply pipe for introducing into the moving article a fluid medium for supporting its flexible walls for a printing operation, and a printing element also disposed aidjacent said path of travel and engageable with a said fluid supported wall of said moving` article for effecting said printing operation.

2. In a-machinefor printing on hollow articles having flexible walls, the combination of a continuously `moving conveyor for supporting and propelling along apredetermined path of travel an article having an opening therein, a traveling sealing chuck engageable with the movable article for sealing the article opening, said chuck having an openingtherein providing communicationwith the interior of thearti'cle through its opening, a Wheel disposed adjacent the path of travel of said article and rotatable relative to saidA sealing chuck` in `time with the advancement of said article, a yieldable member carried on said wheel and movable by the wheel into engagement with said sealing chuck over its opening for introducing into the moving article a huid `medium for supporting its ilexible walls for a printing operation. and a printing element also disposed adjacent said path of travel and engageable with a said iluid supported Wall of said moving article for eiecting said printing operation.

3. In a machine for printing on hollow articles having flexible walls, the combination of a continuously moving conveyor for supporting and propelling along a predetermined path of travel a procession of a plurality of spaced and timed articles having openings therein, a plurality oi movable sealing chucks engageable with the moving articles for sealing the article openings, said chucks having openings therein providing communication with the interiors of the articles through their openings, a wheel disposed adjacent the path of travel of saidarticles and rotatable relative to said sealing chucks in time with the advancement of said articles, a plurality of spaced and yieldable members carried on said wheel and individually movable by the wheel into engagement with said sealing chucks over said openings in said chucks for introducing into the moving articles a fluid medium for supporting their flexible walls for a printing operation, and a printing element also disposed adjacent said path of travel and engageable with a said fluid supported wall of said moving articles for effecting said printing operation.

4. In a machine for printing on hollow articles having ilexible walls, the combination of a con. tinuously moving conveyor for supporting and propelling along a predetermined path of travel an article having an opening therein, a traveling sealing chuck engageable with the moving article Afor sealing the opening therein, said chuck having an opening therein providing communication, through the opening in the article, with the interior of the sealed article, a wheel disposed adjacent'the path of travel of said article and movable relative to said sealing chuck in time with the advancement of said article by said conveyor, a source of fluid medium connecting with said Wheel, a valve member carried by said wheel and engageable over the opening in said sealing chuck and moving with said advancing article, said valve member when in such engagement forming communication with said fluid medium source for introducing into the moving article a fluid medium for supporting its exible Walls for a printingoperation, and a printing element also disposed adjacent said path of travel and engageable with a said fluid supported wall of said moving article for eiecting said printing operation.

5. In a machine for printing on hollow articles having flexible walls, the combination of a moving conveyor for advancing articles, having openings, along a lineal path of travel and in spaced order through a printing station, an endless belt disposed adjacent said conveyor, at least one run of said belt moving parallel to the articles advancing with the conveyor and engaging the open end of each article for sealing the article interior, said belt having an opening for and in communication with the interior of each sealed article, means rotatable adjacent the parallel run of said belt and having connection With a source of Huid medium, a yieldable member carried by said rotatable means and engageable with said belt and surrounding the belt opening, valve means carried by saidlrotatable means for in#` troducing a fluid medium into the associated` sealed article when said yieldable member engages said belt for supporting the flexible walls of said article from the inside, and printing means at said printing station and engageable with said fluid supported Wall for printing on the exterior oi the article.-

6..,In a machine for printing on hollow `containers, having flexible walls, the combination of a continuously moving'conveyor for advancing containers, having openings, along a lineal `lIJath of `travel and in spacedA order throughaprinting station,v an endless beltidi'sposed adjacentsaid conveyor, resilientschucks carried on one side of said belt at spaced intervals corresponding to the spaced locations of the containers on said conveyor, one run of said belt moving parallel to the containers advancing with .the conveyor. and in position to engage each lchuck within an open end of each container for sealing of'the container interior While at said printing station, said belt andeach of 4said chucks having aligned openings in communication .with the` interior of each sealed container, a rotatable wheel located on the side of said belt opposite saidchucks and having resilient cups engageable with said belt and surrounding a said chuck opening for introducing a` uid medium through the aligned chuck and belt openings into the sealed container for supporting its ilexible Walls from the inside While the container is passing through said printing station, and printing means located at said printing station and engageable with said fluid supported wall for printing on theexterior of the container during its advancement with said conveyor.

JOHN G. BLAKEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the legof this patent:

UNITED sTATEs PATENTS Ardron Dec. 7, 

